It’s Time To Say Hello To Your New Favorite Eye Cream
Blame your recent binge of the last season of Dr. Pimple Popper on Hulu, that girl's night that went a little too late, or your wailing baby: Your eyes are puffy as hell. Enter, allll the eye cream. Right?
Wrong! You might have 20 little jars stashed in your cabinets, but you really only need one. Here are the best eye creams for your specific concerns—from dark circles to puffiness to crow's feet—so you won't have to hide behind your biggest pair of sunnies during brunch.
1. Best Immediate Results: Park Perfection Instant Eye Lift
Developed by a dermatologist, this eye cream delivers instant results by using sodium silicate and sodium polystyrene sulfonate to create a film that tightens and smooths the area. While you'll be pleased with what you see right away, it also includes an algae extract that's rich in vitamin C and B12 to help nourish your skin over time as well.
2. Best All Around: Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Lifting Eye Cream
With peptides (the proteins that make up collagen), brown and red algae (for under-eye circles and puffiness), and vitamin C brightens and firms, this eye cream covers all of the most common issues people face.
3. Best Restorative Formula: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
This gel-cream addresses a laundry list of eye issues (i.e. puffiness, fine lines, dark circles, discoloration, and so on), because its repair technology improves multiple signs of aging. It also deeply hydrates and prevents free radical damage thanks to an antioxidant blend.
4. Best For Wrinkles: RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Eye Cream
By now, you probably know that retinol is the HBIC of anti-aging ingredients, which is why this eye cream is a surefire way to ward off wrinkles. "This product contains a stabilized form of retinol in a moisturizing formula that treats the skin while minimizing irritation,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
5. Best For Sensitive Complexions: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
The area around your eyes is super delicate, so the last thing you want to do is to apply something that could cause a freakout, especially if you already have touchy skin. That's why Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in NYC, recommends Neutrogena's Hydro Boost for sensitive skin. "It is at an affordable price point and has a lot of hyaluronic acid that is very hydrating. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and absorbs quickly," she says.
6. Best Eye Opener: Olay Eyes Eye Lifting Serum
Cue Katy Perry: This serum is all about looking wide awake (sorry if that song is in your head for the rest of the day!). The lifting serum is infused with an amino-peptide and vitamin complex that’s designed to be used all-around the eye (including on top of lids) to improve the look of saggy skin.
7. Best For Puffiness: NeoCutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream
Carrying an extra set of luggage on your face? Enter this luxe eye cream, which is packed with caffeine to help stimulate the skin and reduce puffiness. It also contains a proprietary blend of growth factors and antioxidants to make skin look healthier.
8. Best Tinted Cream: Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment
Pearls aren't just for jewelry: This treatment, which comes in three flattering shades, is infused with brightening pearl proteins derived from the shell of Japanese Akoya pearls. Plus, it has an anti-aging complex made up of Ugi green tea, Okinawa mozuku algae, and Akita rice in it along with titanium dioxide and mica to illuminate any under-eye darkness.
9. Best For Dark Circles: Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream
If this eye cream was a contestant on The Bachelor, it would definitely last through a final rose ceremony since it sends dark circles packing. Its wild rose oil brightens and evens out the appearance of your under-eye area while a mix of yeast and golden root diminishes fine lines and discoloration.
10. Best For Dry Skin: Clinique Moisture Surge Eye
Dehydrated skin is the worst. Luckily, you can trade in chugging gallons of water for this pink bottle. Its water-gel consistency melts into skin to plump up the look of fine lines. Not to mention, the proprieraty Auto-Replenishing Lipid-Sphere Technology has pure aloe butter in it to restore skin’s lipid barrier to lock in moisture.
11. Best SPF Infusion: Supergoop! Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream
If you've ever gotten sunscreen in your eyes, you're probably hesitant to put SPF anywhere near the area again. That is exactly why Supergoop! decided to make a formula that won't leave you with any red, runny aftermath. Beyond the SPF 37, the cream has oat peptides in it to firm.
12. Best For Tightening: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Get it bright, get it tight! The star ingredient is vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that fights photo damage and lackluster skin. Other nutrients on its impressive roster include hydrating ceramides, protecting vitamin E, and strengthening peptides.
13. Best Color Corrector: Boscia Indigo Eye Cream
While it may seem counterintuitive to disguise dark circles with a purple tinged cream, Boscia’s latest does just that. Next late night out, reach for this formula after the snooze button since the combination of depuffing and illuminating Wild Indigo, anti-inflammatory algae, and soft blurring pigments gives tired eyes a boost.
14. Best All Around Anti-Ager: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
Lipids are the key to continuing to get carded well after your 21st birthday. “I always recommend using a product that has a high enough lipid content to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day,” says Erin Gilbert, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. She likes this SkinCeuticals cream because of its combination of age-fighting antioxidants and moisturizing lipids, which is a one, two punch for thinner, older skin.
15. Best Eye + Lip Duo: Glossier Bubblewrap Eye + Lip Plumping Cream
Did you know that the skin around your eyes and on your lips is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face? That’s why you can’t just use your normal moisturizer and hope for the best. Instead, treat yourself to this Glossier cream that boasts a powerful trio of hydrators (hyaluronic acid, squalene, and avocado oil) and antioxidant-rich blueberry extract.
16. Best Drugstore Option: Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
If you want results without shelling out a ton of money that could be spent on workout classes or happy hour, try this ultra-hydrating Cetaphil eye cream. “This eye cream focuses on hydration and brightening since a primary concern is dryness and dark circles,” says Melissa K. Levin, MD, an NYC-based dermatologist and clinical instructor at NYU Langone and Mount Sinai Hospital. (After all, there's a reason why WH gave it a Healthy Skin Award!)
17. Best Cooling Balm: Tula Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
Stash this cooling stick in your purse or in your desk drawer to refresh on the go. The probiotic-enriched balm is an instant refresh and you can even use it on the tops of cheekbones for dewy highlight.
18. Best Multi-Tasker: Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes
Next time you're Marie Kondo-ing your beauty cabinet, swap this bottle in place of your other eye creams and lash serums. It not only contours the entire eye area to improve crow’s feet and fine lines, but it also strengthens eyelash hairs for a better fringe.
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